Lunches to Love

5 Clean Meals for Work and School

By Megan McCarthy

Whipping up a wholesome and delicious lunch for you and your family doesn't have to be hard or time consuming. Here, award-winning chef, healthy lifestyle consultant and cooking coach (corporate lunch and learns, private classes) Megan McCarthy shares five simple recipes that are ideal for the office and the classroom. From filling proteins to hearty grains, learn how these meals can fuel your focus throughout the day as McCarthy explains why these are her top go-tos.

Curry Chicken Salad

"Chicken salad is one of the best lunch options for those looking to keep carbohydrates low while enjoying a satisfying and delicious meal," says McCarthy. "This chicken salad is full of healthy curry spices, including turmeric, which gives it a fabulous yellow color, and apple for added fiber. Be sure to find a curry spice blend that suits your palate, as some tend to be sweeter and others are spicier."

Serves: 4

½ cup plain, whole milk Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons avocado mayonnaise

2 teaspoons curry powder

1 teaspoon local honey

2 broiled or grilled chicken breasts, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

1 apple, diced

¼ teaspoon sea salt

Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

In small bowl, stir together yogurt, mayonnaise, curry powder and honey until blended.

In large bowl, combine diced chicken, apples and celery. Mix in curry yogurt dressing and season with salt and pepper.

Serve on flatbread or wrapped in bibb lettuce.

Kale and Asparagus Farro Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

"If you are looking for an alternative to white rice or other refined grains to incorporate into your meals, then the ancient grain called farro is your new friend! It's an excellent source of protein, fiber, magnesium, zinc and even B vitamins," notes McCarthy. "You can pair this farro salad with a plain protein like chicken or salmon but it can certainly stand on its own for a delightful lunch."

Serves: 4-6

For salad:

1 cup farro, uncooked

3 cups water

12 stalks asparagus, trimmed and chopped on the bias

1 cup raw kale, chopped with stems removed

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

Spritz of extra-virgin olive oil

For lemon vinaigrette:

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Bring 3 cups water and 1 cup farro to a boil and cook until tender (about 25 minutes). Drain farro and transfer to large mixing bowl.

For the kiddos, McCarthy offers this easy turkey and cheese wrap as a simple way to sneak in veggies. "Sliced cucumbers, avocado or other produce favorites add a delicious upgrade to wraps for a quick and healthy packable lunch," she says.

Serves: 1

Tortilla wrap

Sliced turkey

Sliced colby jack cheese

Sliced cucumber

Sliced avocado

Mayonnaise, hummus or mustard if desired

Slice, layer and roll ingredients.

Wrap the wrap in parchment paper to secure.

Enjoy!

Creamy Roasted Beet Hummus

"By far one of the prettiest lunch options ever—this Creamy Roasted Beet Hummus is made without the beans so kids actually dig it! They tend to love the natural color and creaminess from the Greek yogurt," McCarthy notes. "Plus, it can also be used as a lunch on the go for grown-ups, too. Dip in fresh veggies—snap peas are my favorite!—or pita chips, or smear it on a sandwich for a colorful addition that also packs a nutrient punch. I think this is a win-win option that will surprise you!"

Serves: 4-6

3 large beets

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, peeled

¼ cup tahini

1 cup plain, whole milk Greek yogurt

½ fresh lemon, squeezed

¼ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Freshly chopped parsley for garnish

Edible flowers for garnish

Preheat oven to 400 F. Wash and trim beets.

Place beets on sheet of aluminum foil and drizzle with olive oil to coat. Fold and seal foil and place on baking sheet. Roast beets until tender (about 50 minutes-1 hour).

Remove from oven and let cool (about 20 minutes) before peeling with small paring knife.

"Garden Eggplant Ratatouille is quite a versatile dish—as you can pair it with rice or noodles or serve over a bed of fresh spinach to keep those carbs lower," McCarthy advises. "The key to good ratatouille is to make sure the eggplant is cooked well and that the dish is seasoned with a bit of red chili flakes and a splash of aged balsamic vinegar to bring out its richness."

Serves: 4

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 large eggplant, peeled and cubed

1 sweet onion, thinly sliced (half moon)

2 small zucchini, diced

1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

4-5 cloves garlic, chopped

3 Roma tomatoes, diced

One 14.5-ounce can of diced and fire-roasted organic tomatoes with chilis